A Contract position Outside IR35
Hybrid working
Essential: Proven Lead Systems Engineering experience on Defence Vehicle Platforms
Our client, a leading player in the automotive sector, is currently seeking a Systems Engineering Lead on a contract basis, to join their team. This role focuses on vehicle-level design and integration of defence platforms, emphasising chassis, steering, suspension, and overall mobility performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the system-level architecture and integration
- Define and integrate key vehicle subsystems, ensuring effective integration of the powertrain into the vehicle platform
- Drive requirements capture, decomposition, and traceability, ensuring alignment with vehicle-level performance and mission needs
- Deliver against critical performance measures such as mobility, ride dynamics, stability, durability, and reliability
- Balance system trade-offs, optimising mobility, protection, payload, and power
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure coherent platform integration
- Oversee vehicle-level verification and validation, including rig, subsystem testing, and full vehicle trials
- Support safety case development and hazard analysis in line with defence standards
- Manage system interfaces, configuration control, and vehicle-level BOM structures
- Engage with suppliers for critical subsystems and mentor systems engineers within the team
Job Requirements
- Significant experience in systems engineering, particularly within defence or heavy vehicle platforms
- Proven knowledge of vehicle chassis, suspension, steering, and overall vehicle dynamics
- Understanding of delivering reliable vehicles in extreme environments
- Effective in system-level integration, ensuring cohesive vehicle performance
- Relevant degree in Systems, Mechanical, Automotive, or Mechatronics Engineering
- Proficiency in vehicle system architecture and platform integration
- Experience with vehicle communication networks (CAN, J1939, MIL-STD)
- Familiarity with FMEA, DFMEA, and system-level hazard analysis
- Experience with DOORS NG, Polarion, or similar requirements tools
Desirable
- Experience with defence applications
- Knowledge of DEF STAN / MIL-STD requirements
- Advanced suspension and steering technologies
- Previous security clearance (BPSS, SC or higher)
If you are a Systems Engineering professional with robust experience in automotive defence platforms and seek a new challenge, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to become an integral part of our client's dynamic team.
